Today, he plays in the league of big boys of the country's political arena. Deputy President William Ruto is one man who has walked a long political journey to the top. So, what are these defining moments that have shaped the DP's political life?
The 1992 general election was probably the first moment that introduced the young Ruto into politics.
While campaigning for the then President Daniel Arap Moi against a divided opposition, Ruto became a key member of KANU's youth wing YK- 92. Come the December poll, Moi triumphed and from there, political seeds had been planted in Ruto.
In 1997, Ruto officially announced his arrival into politics when he successfully won the Eldoret North MP seat, sending home veteran Reuben Chesire. At the time, he became one of the youngest MP in Parliament.
Come 2002. The ambitious Ruto walked his way up in the KANU ladder, becoming the party's Secretary-General and Minister. Though KANU candidate Uhuru Kenyatta lost to the opposition's Mwai Kibaki in the Presidential election, the thirty-something man remained true to his cause.
The events of 2005 could be the most significant part of Ruto's checkered political career.
Uhuru and Ruto-led KANU would team up with the LDP faction of the NARC coalition led by Raila Odinga, to defeat the Kibaki-backed proposed referendum, which "Orange" won. This would culminate in the formation of the Orange Democratic Movement.
With Ruto's backing, Raila would use ODM as his political vehicle in the battle against Kibaki. That election elevated Ruto's political stature as he successfully rallied Rift Valley to vote for Raila.
After his fallout with Raila in the grand coalition government with Kibaki, Ruto was dismissed from the cabinet. And that marked the beginning of his bitter rivalry with Raila.
Ruto's political deal with Uhuru in the run to the 2013 election completely sealed his fate.
Now the country's second in command, Ruto dreams big. His ambition is to succeed Uhuru as President. Can his brilliant past inspire his bid? Well, time will tell.